Each of the appointees has been part of the EUI community throughout her academic and professional journey. Sonia Lucarelli earned her PhD in the Department of Political and Social Sciences (SPS), Nicoletta Pirozzi is an Associate of the EUI's European Governance and Politics Programme, and Nathalie Tocci served for as a part-time professor at the Florence School of Transnational Governance (STG).
During its latest meeting, the IAI Board of Directors appointed Sonia Lucarelli as Vice President, Nicoletta Pirozzi as Deputy Director, and Nathalie Tocci as President of the Scientific Council. Together, these appointments bring three accomplished scholars with strong connections to the EUI into key leadership roles at one of Italy's foremost research institutes dedicated to international relations and foreign policy.
The appointments celebrate not only individual achievements but also the contribution of women shaping research, public debate, and policymaking at the highest level. They reflect careers dedicated to advancing knowledge while fostering dialogue between academia and practice.
Reflecting on her new role, Nicoletta Pirozzi said:
"I am honoured by this appointment and grateful for the opportunity to help guide the IAI's work at a time when Europe is called upon to navigate profound geopolitical change and strengthen its capacity to act on the global stage. Throughout my collaboration with the EUI, I have experienced first-hand the value of connecting academic excellence with policy engagement. I hope to continue strengthening this dialogue in my new role, contributing to a European community where research, cooperation and informed policy-making reinforce one another in addressing our shared challenges."
For Sonia Lucarelli, the appointment also reflects a professional journey closely intertwined with both institutions:
"It is truly remarkable for me to reflect on how my experiences at the EUI and the IAI have become intertwined over time. I was a PhD student in the SPS Department at the EUI when I first began collaborating with the Institute of International Affairs through a project on preventing violent conflicts, at the same time as I was writing my doctoral thesis on the war in Yugoslavia.
Over the years, both the EUI and the IAI have remained fundamental points of reference for me: places I continue to visit with great pleasure and where I always find an intellectually stimulating and inspiring environment. I have had the privilege of serving on the IAI Board for many years, and I received the proposal to become Vice President with great pleasure and a deep sense of honour.
I hope that this new role will also provide an opportunity to further strengthen the cooperation between the EUI and the IAI in the years to come."
Nathalie Tocci is an Italian political scientist and international relations expert, recognised for her contributions to the study of European foreign policy, security, and international affairs. Through her role as part-time professor at the Florence School of Transnational Governance (STG), she contributed for more than two years to the School’s academic activities, enriching its teaching and training programmes in peace and security. She is currently Professor of Practice at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and Senior Fellow at Bocconi University Institute for European Policymaking. She previously served as Director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali and as an adviser to the Italian government and EU officials on foreign policy issues.
The EUI and IAI have developed longstanding professional connections through shared interests in European integration, international affairs, and multilateral cooperation. Over the years, scholars, experts, and affiliates from both institutions have contributed to common debates, research initiatives, and policy discussions, reinforcing the dialogue between academic excellence and policy engagement.
The EUI congratulates Sonia Lucarelli, Nicoletta Pirozzi, and Nathalie Tocci on this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to the impact of their leadership in advancing research, informed policymaking, and international cooperation in the years ahead.